Electrical connector



March 28, 1950 s. L. ARSON EI'AL ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 8, 1948 IN VENTORS. SAMUEL L. A/aso/v ROBERT d. CANNON BY THE/l? ATTORNCYS. %5cm F 0571/? a HARRIS Hf? KRIS, 6y

Patented Mar. 28, 1950 ELECTRICAL oomo'ron Samuel L. Arson, Glendale, and Robert J. Cannon,

'Los Angeles, Calif assignors to Cannon Electrio Development Company, Los Angeles, Calif, a corporation of California Application March 8, 1948, Serial No. 13,853

5 Claims. (Cl. 173-428) 1 Our invention relates in general to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to a connector which comprises a pair of telescopically conne c' tible and disconnectible terminal members, such as a plug and a socket, a primary object of the invention being to provide an improved latching means for releasably securing the two terminal members together after they have been telescopically connected.

An-important object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector wherein one of the terminal members is provided with a generally keyhole-shaped opening which includes an aperture and a slot communicating with the aperture, and wherein the other terminal member is provided with a latch having a portion which is insertable through the slot into the aperture during relative telescoping movement of the terminal members, and having a second, enlarged portion which is subsequently insertable into the aperture to secure the terminal members together.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a connector of the foregoing character wherein the latch is movable between extended and retracted positions, the aforementioned first portion of the latch being insertable into and movable through the slot into alignment with the aperture during relative telescoping movement of the terminal members toward each other with the latch in its retracted position, and the second portion of the latch being insertable into the aperture when the latch is moved from its retracted position'to its extended position with the first portion thereof in alignment with the aperture.

Another object is to provide an electrical connector having resilient means for biasing the latch toward its extended position and having manually operable means for moving the latch from u its extended position to its retracted position.

Still another object is to provide an electrical connector having cam means for moving the latch from :its extended position to its retracted position "automatically during relative telescoping movement of the terminal members toward each other. A related object is to provide a connector wherein the cam means comprises a cam surface defined by a shoulder on'the latch at the junction -,oi' the first and second portions thereof, the shoulder being inclined with respect to the direction' of movement of the latch between its extended and retracted positions.

l 2 cludes a shell having a core therein and includes a. spring-pressed detent carried by the core for;

securing the core in the shell. This construction eliminates the use of screws or the like for holding the components of each terminal in assembled relationship, and thus facilitates assembly and disassembly thereof, whieh is an important fea-.- ture of our invention.

A further object is to provide an electrical connector comprising telescopically connectible and disconnectible terminal members wherein each terminal member is provided with a g nerally semi-cylindrical surface and a generally plane surface and wherein the semi-cylindrical surface and the plane surface of one terminal member are aligned with the semi-cylindrical surface and the plane surface, respectively, of the other terminal member when the members are connected. This construction facilitates orienting the terminal members with respect to each other so that they may be connected readily and also tends to prevent the connector from rolling when it is placed on a flat surface, which are important features of the invention.

The foregoing objects of our invention and the advantages suggested thereby, together with vari-' ous other objects and advantages which will be evident, may be attained through the utilization of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and which-aredescrlbed in detail hereinafter. Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an electrical connector which embodies the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view which is taken along the broken line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3,4 and 5 are transverse sectional views which are taken along the broken lines 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5, respectively, of Fig. 2;

Fig.6 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view which is taken along the broken line 6-4 of Fig. 2;

, Fig. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of 1 the invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, longitudinal sectional view which is taken along 'the broken line 8-8 of Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector wherein each terminal in- Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an end view of a terminal member Fig. 12 is an end view of a terminal member forming part of the connector illustrated in Fig. and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view which is taken along the broken line l3|3 of Fig. 11.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, we show an embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the numeral l5 and referred to hereinafter as a cable connector, which may be'used for connecting two cables l6 and I1, each cable including three wires in the particular construction illustrated. The wires of the cable |6 are identified by the numerals 6 and those of the cable I! are identified by the numerals Ill. The cables I 6 and I1 may, for example, represent parts of a portable microphone circuit and the cable connector I5 is of particular utility when used in such a circuit, although it will be understood that many other uses therefor come within the scope of the invention.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the cable connector l5 includes two terminal members 2| and 22, the member 2| being a plug and the member 22 being a socket in the particular construction illustrated. Considering theplug 2| in more detail, it comprises a tubular shell 23 having therein a core 24, the latter be-' ing insertable into the shell from one end there- 0!. The core 24 is formed of a suitable insulating material and the shell 23 is preferably, although not necessarily, formed of metal. In the particular construction illustrated, the core 24 carries three plug contacts 25 each of which includes an enlarged portion 26 pressed into an opening 21 in the core. Each plug contact 25 also includes a prong or pin 26 and a terminal end 26, the pin extending through an insulator 36 which is disposed in the shell 23 adjacent the core 24.

The wires l8 forming the cable l6 are connected to the terminal ends 29 of the plug contacts 25, respectively, in any suitable manner. as by soldering, for example, the cable l6 being secured by a clamp 33. The latter includes a gland 34 having a cylindrical portion 35 which is pressed into one end of the shell 23. and includes a clamping strap 36 which may be secured to the gland by screws 31. or the l'ke, to secure the cable |6 with respect to the shell 23.

Considering the socket 22, it includes a shell 4| having therein a core, indicated generally by the numeral 42, which may be inserted into the shell from one end thereof. The core 42 comprises a barrel or sleeve 43 which is preferably, although not necessarily, formed of metal and which receives an insulator 44, the latter being provided with three openings 45, in the particular construction illustrated, into which three socket contacts 46 are respectively pressed. The core 42 is adapted to be telescoped into the shell 23 of the plug 2| so that the pins 28 of the plug contacts 25 engage the respective socket contacts 46, each of the socket contacts being provided with a sleeve 41 which is adapted to receive one of the pins. The socket contacts extend through an insulator 48 and terminate in ends 49 to which the respective wires I6 of the cable I! may be soldered or otherw se secured. The socket 22 includes a clamp 56 for securing the cable II with respect to the shell 4| thereof. The clamp 50 is substantially identical to the clamp 33 of the plug 2| so that it is not necessary to describe it in detail.

with the aperture.

As will be apparent, the wires l6 of the cable I6 may be connected to the respective wires it of the cable H by telescopically connecting the plug 2| and the socket 22 so that the pins 26 of the plug contacts 25 enter the sleeves 41 of the respective socket contacts 46. Conversely, the cables I6 and I1 may be disconnected readily by separating the plug 2| and the socket 22.

As indicated previously, an important feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a latching means, indicated generally by the numeral 54, which prevents inadvertent separation of the plug 2| and socket 22 and which is readily releasable so that the plug and socket may be connected and disconnected easily whenever desired. As best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the latching means 54 comprises a latch 55 which is disposed partially within a slot 56 in the shell 4| ofthe socket 22, the latch being provided with an end portion 51 which engages one end of the barrel 43 of the core 42 and which engages the peripheral wall of the shell 4| to secure the latch. This connection between the latch 55 and the shell 4| and barrel 43 permits limited pivotal movement of the latch in a vertical plane, as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings, about the end portion 51 thereof. The latch 55 is provided with a serrated surface 58 so that it may be depressed, i. e., moved downwardly as viewed in Fig. 2, readily by a thumb or fingertip of an operator as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

The latch 55 includes another end portion which comprises a nrst portion 6| of reduced size and a second or enlarged portion 62 substantlally aligned with thenrst portion 6|, the first and second portions cooperating to define a pair olinclined shoulders or cam surfaces 63, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The shell 23 of the plug 2| is provided with a generally keyhole-shaped opening which, as best shown in mg. 6 or the drawings, comprises an aperture 65 spaced inwardly from one end 61 01' this shell and a slot 66 communicating The slot 66 is adapted to receive the first portion 6| of the latch 55 and the aperture 65 is adapted to receive the enlarged portion 62 thereof, the diameter of the enlarged portion 62 being greater than the width of the slot 66 so that it cannot be withdrawn through the slot. The latch 55 is normally biased toward an extended position, viz., the position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, by a leaf spring 69 so as to retain the enlarged portion 62 of the latch in the aperture 65, the spring being disposed in a recess 10 in the insulator 44 forming part of the core 42. It will be noted that the enlarged portion 62 of the latch 55 extends through an opening II in the barrel 43 into engagement with the spring 69.

Considering the operation of the latching means 54, it will be apparent that since the diameter of the enlarged portion 62 of the latch 55 is greater than the width of the slot 66 in the shell 4| of the socket 22, the enlarged portion of the latch serves to secure the plug 2| and the socket 22 together as long as the latch is in its extended position, the latch normally being retained in its extended position by the spring 69. Whenever separation of the plug 2| and socket 22 is desired, it is merely necessary to depress or retract the latch, i. e., move the latch downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 20f the drawings, so as to withdraw the enlarged portion 82 thereof from the aperture 88. This may be accomplished readily by pressing inwardly on the serrated surface 89 of the latch 88. Subsequently, the plug 2| and socket 22 may be separated readily, the portion 8| of the latch 88 moving through the slot 88 in the shell 4| of the socket as the plug and socket are separated. Thus, it will be apparent that in order to disconnect the plug-2| and-socket 22, it is merely necessary to depress the latch 88 and pull the plug and socket apart, which is an important featureof the invention.

- In order to connect the plug 2| and socket 22, it is merely necessary to insert the core 42 of the socket into the shell 23 of the plug with the portion 8| of the latch 88 in alignment with the slot 88 in the shell 23. The cam surfaces 83 -between the first and second portions ti and 82 of the latch 58 engage the end 81 of the shell,

23 so'as to move the latch 88 from its extended position into its retracted position as the plus 2| and socket 22 are telescoped together, thereby moving the portion 8| of the latch into align- 'ment with the slot 88 so that it may enter and move through the slot into the aperture 65. Subsequently, the spring 89 urges the latch 95 into its extended position so as to insert the en larged portion 82 of the latch into the aperture to secure the plug 2| and the socket 22 together. Thus, when connecting the plug 2| and the socket 22, it is unnecessary to move the latch 88 to its retracted position manually since this function is performed by engagement of the cam surfaces 83 with the end 81 of the shell 23, which is another important feature of the present in-v ventlon.

As discussed previously herein, another important feature of our invention resides in the provision of detent means for securing the cores 24 and 42 of the plug 2| and socket 22 within the respective shells 23 and 4| thereof, the detent means associated with the plug 2| being indicated by the numeral 14 and that associated with the socket 22 being indicated by the numeral I5. By eliminating the use of screws or the like for securing the cores 24 and 42 in the shells 23 and 4|, the detent means I4 and I5 greatly facilitate assembly and disassembly of the plug-2| and the socket 22, which is an important advantage of the invention.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the detent means I4 associated with the plug 2| comprises a button or detent 18- which is carried by .the core 24- and which is insertable into an opening 'I'I in the shell 23 so as to secure the core 24 within this shell. The detent I8 is urged toward an extended position wherein it is inserted into the opening 11 by a spring I9, the latter being disposed in a receptacle I9 which is disposed-in g a recess 89 in the core '24. The receptacle I9 is provided with an inturned lip 8| which is ensageable with an annular flange 32 on the detent 18 to limit movement of the detent under the action of thespring 18. It will be apparent that in order to assemble the core 24 in the shell 23,

it is merely necessary to depress the detent I8 with respect to the core and subsequently insert moved from the shell 23 by reversing the fore- I going sequence of operations.

The detent means associated with the socket as a single resilient means for biasing both the latch 88 and the detent 88 toward their extended positions, which is an important feature of the invention. It will be noted that the enlarged portion 82 of the latch and the detent 85 are interconnected by a strap 88, the function of this strap being to prevent detachment of the latch from the socket 22. The operation of the detent means I9 is similar to that of the detent means I4 and will not be discussed in detail.

As best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, the shell 23 of the plug 2| is provided with a generally semi-cylindrical surface 9| and a substantially plane surface 92, the keyhole-shaped opening 84 being formed in the plane surface 92 of this shell. Similarly, the shell 4| of'the socket 22 is provided with surfaces 93 and 94 which correspond to and are adapted to be aligned with the surfaces 9| and 92 of the shell 23 when the plug 2| and socket 22 are to be connected, the latch 85 being disposed adjacent the plane surface 94 of the shell 4|. The cores 24 and 42 of the plug 2| and socket 22 correspond in shape to the shells 23 and 4|, respectively. 7

The plane surfaces 92 and 94 of the shells 23 and 4| provide the assembled connector I5 with a flat side which prevents the connector from rolling when it is placed on a flat surface, such as a table top, which is common when the connector I5 is used with portable microphones, for example. Asindicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the clamps 33 and 59 on the plug 2| and socket 22 may be enclosed by sleeves 98 and 98, respectively, of rubber, neoprene, or the like, for the purpose of protecting surfaces on which the cable connector I5 may be placed, the sleeves and 98 being provided with flat sides, identified by the numerals 91 and 98, which register with the plane surfaces 92 and 94 of the plug and socket and which assist in preventing rolling of the connector over a surface on which it may be placed.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 9 of the drawings,

I93, a core I94 within this shell, and latching means I95 for releasably connecting the plug 2| and the socket I92. The sore I94 is substantially identical to the core 42 of the socket 22 and need not be described in detail.

Referringparticularly to Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, the shell I93 is adapted to receive the shell 23 of the plug 2| therein and is provided with a flange I98 having openings "I91 therein for the reception of screws or the like (not shown) for attaching the socket I92 to a control panel, wall, etc., the flange I98 being rectangular in the particular construction illustrated although it will be understood that any suitable configuration may be employed. The latching means I95 comprises a latch III having a first portion II2 of reduced size and a second, enlarged portion II3 which correspond to the portions 8| and 82,

respectively, of the latch 30. The portions H2- and H3 of the latch III are Joined by inclined cam surfaces II4 which correspond to .the cam surfaces 63 of the latch 35. The portion H2 of the latch III is receivable by the slot 68 in the shell 23 of the plug 2| and the enlarged portion H3 thereof is receivable by the aperture 35 in the shell 23, the latch |I| being biased toward an extended position wherein it is inserted into the aperture 35 by a leaf spring I I5 which corresponds to the spring 69 of the socket 22. The latch III may be depressed into a retracted position, by a lever I I6 which is disposed in a recess H1 in the shell I03. One end of the lever H3 is doubled back, as indicated by the numeral H3, and is adapted to engage the latch III to retain the lever within the recess Hi. It will be noted that the lever H6 is, in effect, mounted for pivotal movement about the end H3 of the doubled back portion thereof.

It will be apparent that in order to disconnect the plug 2| and the socket I02, it is merely necessary to depress the lever H6 downwardly to move the portion H2 of the latch into alignment with the slot 66 in the shell 23 of the plug whereupon the plug and socket may be separated, the portion H2 of the latch moving through the slot 66 as the plug is withdrawn from the socket. In order to connect the plug 2| and socket I02, it is merely necessary to insert the plug into the "socket with the slot 66 in the shell 23 of the plug in alignment with the latch III. The cam surfaces I on the latch III engage the end 61 of the shell 23 andmove the latch into its retracted position so that the portion I I2 thereof enters and moves through the slot 66 into the aperture 35. Subsequently, the spring H5 extends the latch III so that the enlarged portion H3 thereof enters the aperture 65 to secure the plug 2| and socket I02 together.

The socket I02 also includes a detent means I22 for securing the core I04 thereof within the shell I03, this detent means comprising a button or detent I23 which is insertable into an opening I24 in the shell and which is movable into an extended position wherein it is disposed in the opening I24 by the spring H5. Thus, as is the case with the socket 22, the latch III and the detent I22 are both actuated by the same spring. It will be noted that the latch III and the detent I22 are interconnected by a strap I25 which serves to limit movement thereof under the action of the spring I I5.

Referring to Figs. to 13 of the drawings, the embodiment of our invention illustrated therein comprises a plug |3| which is similar to the plug 2| and which is connectable to the socket 22, the plug |3| being adapted tobe mounted on a control panel, wall, or the like. As best shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings, the plug I3| includes a shell I32 having a core I33 therein and includes detent means I34 for retaining the core within the shell. The core I33 and the detent means I34 of the plug I3I are substantially identical to the corresponding components of the plug 2| and need not be described in detail herein.

The shell I 32 of the plug I3I is provided with a flange I35 having holes I38 therein for the reception of screws or the like for mounting the plug I3| on a control panel, wall, etc., the flange I35 being rectangular in the particular construction illustrated although it will be understood that other configurations may be employed.

As best shown in Figs. 11 and is of the drawings. the shell I32 of the plug I3I is provided with a keyhole-shaped opening I31 which cor-' responds to and performs the same function as the keyhole-shaped opening 34 in the shell 23 of'the plug 2|, the opening I31 comprising an aperture I33 which is spaced inwardly from an end I33 of the shell I32 and comprising a slot I40 which communicates with the aperture I30. The flange I33 of the shell I32 is provided with an opening I which is adapted to receive the latch 55 of the socket 22.

The operation of the plug I3I in connection with the socket 22 is similar to the operation of the plug 2| in connection therewith and need,

not be described in detail. Briefly, in order to connect the plug I3I and the socket 22, it is merely necessary to insert the core 42 of the socket 22 into the shell I32 of the plug III with the latch 55 in alignment with the slot I40,

whereupon the cam surfaces 33 on the latch 53' engage the end I33 of the shell I32 so as to retract the latch and move the portion 3| thereof into alignment with the slot m. Subsequently, the portion SI of the latch enters and moves through the slot I40 into the aperture I33 so that the spring 63 may extend the latch and insert the enlarged portion 32 thereof into the aperture. The plug |3| and socket 22 may be disconnected by depressing the latch 55 and subsequently withdrawing the core 42 of the socket 22 from the shell I32 of the plug I3I.

It will thus be apparent that our invention provides an electrical connector having terminals which may be connected and disconnected readily and which cannot be inadvertently disconnected, and provides an improved means for holding the components of the terminals in assembled relationship. Although we have disclosed exemplary embodiments of our invention herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that we do not intend to be limited specifically thereto since various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the embodiments disclosed without necessarily departing from the spirit of the invention, and

' we hereby reserve the right to all such changes,

modifications and substitutions as properly come within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In an electrical connector, the combination of: relatively telescopic terminal members one of which is provided with an aperture spaced inwardly from an end thereof, said one member being provided with a slot extending inwardly from said end thereof and communicating with said aperture, the width of said slot being less than that of said aperture; a latch carried by the other of said members and movable relative thereto between extended and retracted positions, said latch being provided with a first portion which is insertable into and movable through said slot into alignment with said aperture during relative telescoping movement of said members toward each other with said latch in said retracted position, and being provided with a second,enlarged portion which is insertable into said aperture when said latch is moved from said retracted position to said extended position with said first portion thereofin alignment with said aperture, said first and second portions of said latch being aligned in the direction of its movement between said extended and retracted positions; and cam means on said latch ensmablo with said one member for moving said latch from said extended position to said retracted position during relative telescoping movement of said members toward each other, said cam means comprising a shoulder on said latch at the junction of said first and second portions thereof, said shoulder being inclined at an acute angle to the direction of relative telescoping movement of said members.

2. In an electrical connector, the combination of: relatively telescopic plug and socket members one of which is provided with a shell and the other of which is insertable into said shell during relative movement of said members toward each other, said shell being provided with an aperture spaced inwardly from an end thereof and bein provided with a slot extending inwardly from said end thereof and communicating with said aperture, the width of said slot being less than that of said aperture; a latch carried by said other member and movable relative thereto between extended and retracted position, said latch being provided with a first portion which is insertable into and movable through said slot into alignment with said aperture during'relative telescoping movement of said members toward each other with said latch in said retracted position, and being provided with a second, enlarged portion which is insertable into said aperture when said latch is moved from said retracted position to said extended pos tion with said first portion of said latch in alignment with said aperture, said first and second portions of said latch being aligned in the direction of its movement between said extended and retracted positions; and cam means on sa d latch engageable with said one member for moving said latch from said extended position to said retracted position during relative telescoping movement of said members toward each other, said cam means compris ng a pair of shoulders on said latch at the junction of sa d first and second portions thereof, said shoulders being inclined at an acute angle to the direction of relative telescoping movement of said members.

3. An electrical connector including relatively telescopic plug and socket members one of which is provided with a generally keyhole-shaped opening compr sing an aperture and a slot communieating with said aperture; a latch carried by the other of said members and movable relative thereto between retracted and extended posit ons, said latch being provided with a first portion which is insertable into sa d slot and being provided with a second, enlarged portion which is insertab e in o said aperture and which is substantially aligned with said first port on of said latch, said first portion being movable through said slot into said aperture during relative telescoping movement of said members toward each other so as to align said second portion with sa d aperture, said latch subsequently being movable from its retracted position to its extended position so as to'insert said second portion into said aperture, said first and second portions of said latch being aligned in the direction of its movement between said extended and retracted positions: cam means on said latch engagea'ble to the direction of relative telescoping movement of said members; and resilient means for biasing said latch toward its extended position.

4. In an electrical connector, the combination of: relatively telescopic plug and socket members one of which includes a shell and the other of which includes a shell having a core therein which is insertable into said shell of said one member during relative telescoping movement of said members toward each other, said shell of sa d one member being provided with an aperture spaced inwardly from an end thereof and being provided with a slot extending inwardly from said end thereof and communicating with said aperture, the width of said slot being less than that of sa d aperture. and said shell of said other member be ng provided with an opening; a lat h carried by said core and movable relative thereto between extended and retracted positions. said latch be ng provided with a first portion which is insertable into and movable through sa d slot into alignment with sa d aperture du ing relat ve telescoping movement of said members toward each other with said latch in said retracted position, and being provided w th a. second, enlar ed port on which is insertable into sa d aperture when said latch is moved from said retracted position to said extended position with said first portion of said latch in al gnment with said aperture; a detent carried by said core and movable from a retracted pos t on to an extended position wherein it is inserted into said opening in said shell of said other member to reta n said core therein: and a sin le resilient means for urging said latch and sa d detent toward their respective extended positions.

5. In an electrical connector, the combination oi: relativel telesco c term nal members one of 'which includes a shell having a core there n, said shell of said one member being pro ided with an open ng and the other of sa d members being provided with an a ert re: a latch carried by said one member and movable relative thereto between extended a d retracted positions, said latch being insertable into said aperture upon movement thereof from said retracted position to said extended posit on with said members te escoped together: a detent carried bv said core and movable from a retracted position to an extended position wherein it is inserted into said opening .in said shell of said one member to retain said core therein; and a single spring carried by said one member and en aging both said latch and said detent for bias ng said lat h and said detent toward their respective extended pos tions.

SAMUEL L. ARFON. ROBERT J. CANNON.

REFERENCES CITED The fol owing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 839,224 Stokes Dec. 25, 1908 1,125,370 Mueller Jan. 19, 1015 2,000,318 Cannon May 7, 1935 2,089,844 Anderson Aug. 10, 1037 2,183,651 Langston et al. Dec. 19, 1939 2,281,654 Wulle et al. May 5, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 513,036 Germany Nov. 6, 1930 621,241 Germany Oct. 17, 1935 545,602 Great Britain June 4, 1m 

